IPX is used on networks. It is a connectionless protocol. In other words, no connection is made with another machine--the datagram is sent out over the network and the hope is that it will eventually arrive at its destination. It is similar to UDP.

Netware implements IPX.

 

Sure, they come with XP.

Open Network Properties of the connection in question, Click Install, Select Protocol and click Add, add the IPX/SPX protocol.

 

Thanks guys, I installed it. However, when I run the multiplayer in the game, it still says an active IPX driver was not found. Do I need to modify settings for the IPX compatible transport, such as the internal network number or the frame type?

 

I'm not a gamer, so I don't know specifics about the settings. I'd think the game forum would be the place to ask.

 

Ok, now that it has been moved, I'll provide more "game" info.

The game is Descent, and after further reading through the manual, it says I must be loading the IPX.com driver provided by Novell. However, when I go to the Novell page to download Netware things, I don't know what Netware version I have to download anything. From a Google search, I also looked at this link, and I set my frame type to Ethernet 802.2, but that didn't make a difference. So what I really need help on is to install the IPX driver. I have IPX installed (shows up in the properties for my NIC along with TCP/IP and other things), but I need the driver.

 

I'm not sure you can install that driver along with XP's driver, that sounds odd on the surface.

Here's a post from a site that's been in the news lately. I'm not advocating the service, but they have some IPX tips about the Decent game.

http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/3469456/DESCENT_PC_bin_cue

You might also take a look at the Novell Network Client for 2K/XP

 

Ok. But it does sound like from the website I saw the person got it to work with XP, unless that was just IPX without a driver. I may contact Novell, but it looks like I'll have to wait until Monday.

 

Hmm, this website says IPX is fully supported by Windows XP.

 

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IPX is a protocol, not a driver. There's nothing to download. I was quickly able to find a complete tutorial for setting up Descent for multiplayer and instructions for adding the IPX protocol.

Descent 2: Multiplayer
Windows XP Network Protocols

 

Well, it turns out I have the GOG version of Descent, and although it runs on DOSbox, I don't have to manually enter the commands to run the game, so unfortunately that didn't work.
Also, the Descent manual says to play a network game on a LAN-connected PC, to be loading the IPX.COM driver from Novell, and I have the NW IPX driver.

 

I can't help you since I don't understand the terminology you're using. I'm not aware of any IPX.COM driver from Novel. IPX is a protocol. It's already available in Windows XP, and I posted a link that explains exactly how to install it. Did that not work, or do you not want to even try?

 

The instructions from that website did not explain things properly (like do I start the game first before putiting in the line for the server in the DOS prompt), and the Descent version I have has been made to work with XP and Vista. And that also implies that the computer hosting the game is running partly on TCP/IP (port), and saw on another forum that the GOG version of Descent does not offer that. I did try to do it, but eventually the computer just locked up. Here is what the manual says:

Descent is designed to run on a Novell network using the IPX protocol. To
use IPX protocol on your LAN-connected PC, you must be loading the
IPX.COM driver provided by Novell, in addition to lower-level drivers required by your particular brand of network card.​

That's why I think although I have IPX currently installed, the nwlnkipx.sys driver (that says IPX protocol driver) is not enough, that somehow I do still need the IPX.COM driver.

 

Solved!
It turns out I don't need that special IPX.COM driver afterall. I saw on the GOG support website to click "Start Host game" from a network option that I had not seen before. Then, on the "joining" computer, click start client game. I'm not sure if it was necessary for this game, but I also opened UDP 213 in my router, which is what the website said if you require port forwarding. Then the computers were able to see each other!
Thanks guys for the help.